ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Communications
India signs Host Country Agreement with the International Telecommunication Union for establishment of Area Office & Innovation Centre at New Delhi
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Communications and H.E. Houlin Zhao, Secretary General of International Telecommunication Union  signed the Host Country Agreement  for the establishment of an Area Office & Innovation Centre of ITU in New Delhi on 3rd March 2022.
International Telecommunication Union is the United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies – ICTs. ITU currently has a membership of 193 countries and over 900 private-sector entities and academic institutions.
The Area Office and Innovation Centre of ITU at New Delhi is expected to serve South Asian countries namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India. The Host Country Agreement provides the legal and financial framework for establishment and operations of the Area Office.
The Area Office shall also have an Innovation Centre, which is expected to give impetus to research and development in telecommunication technologies in South Asia. The Innovation Centre will provide opportunities to academics, start-ups and SMEs to showcase their innovation at a global stage. With signing of the Host Country Agreement, the Area Office and the Innovation Centre is expected to be operational by mid 2022.
The agreement was signed in a virtual ceremony during the World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly-20  being held in Geneva, Switzerland. WTSA is a four-yearly global conference of ITU dedicated to standardisation of the Information and Communications Technologies . India has proposed to host the next WTSA to be held in 2024.
India has been taking concrete steps towards development of telecom standards. The 5Gi standards developed within India have now been recognised by ITU as one of the three technologies for 5G. With more than 1.2 Billion telecom subscribers, a robust ecosystem of start-ups and innovation hubs, India is poised to contribute meaningfully in developing telecom standards further.RKJ/M
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Prime Minister's Office
PM lauds MHA decision to conduct the Constable  CAPF exams in 13 regional languages also
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has called MHA decision to conduct the Constable  CAPF exams in 13 regional languages also as 'pathbreaking'
The Prime Minister responded to Home Minister office tweet:
"A pathbreaking decision, which will give wings to the aspirations of our youth! This is a part of our various efforts to ensure language is not seen as a barrier in fulfilling one’s dreams."
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Cabinet approves targeted subsidy to Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Consumers
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, hasapproved a subsidy of Rs.200 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 12 refills per year to be provided to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. As on 1st March 2023 there are 9.59 crore PMUY beneficiaries.
The total expenditurewill be Rs.6,100 crore for financial year 2022-23 and Rs.7,680 crore for 2023-24. The subsidy is credited directly to bank accounts of the eligible beneficiaries. Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies namely Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. , Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.  and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd.  have already been providing this subsidy since 22nd May, 2022.
There has been a sharp increase in international prices of LPG due to various geopolitical reasons. It is important to shield PMUY beneficiaries from high LPG prices.
Targeted support to PMUY consumers encourages them for continuous usage of LPG. It is important to ensure sustained LPG adoption and usage among PMUY consumers so that they can completely switch to cleaner cooking fuel. Average LPG consumption of PMUY consumers has increased by 20 percent from 3.01 refills in 2019-20 to 3.68 in 2021-22. All PMUY beneficiaries are eligible for this targeted subsidy.
To make Liquified Petroleum Gas , a clean cooking fuel, available to the rural and deprived poor households, Government launched Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in May 2016, to provide deposit free LPG connections to adult women of poor households.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
National Highways Authority to set up expert committee to probe into the collapse of a section of Pardi flyover at Nagpur
Nagpur, 20 October 2021
National Highway Authority of India’s  headquarter, New Delhi has decided to constitute an expert-committee to investigate the reasons behind the collapse of a segment of Pardi flyover at Nagpur on 19th October 2021. The high level Technical Expert committee shall investigate the incident and necessary steps will be taken after submission of the report by the committee.
The work of Pardi Flyover is being executed by M/s Gannon Dunkerley & Company Limited and M/s.SMS Infrastructure Ltd . On 19th October, 2021 at around 21.20 Hours, a segment  of a flyover from Kalamana to HB Town slided from the Pier P7 and fell on ground. The other end of the Segment is still at Pier P8. A lateral upward movement was found towards Pier P8, however the reasons for this failure are not clear at this point of time. Prime-Facie, it appears that the bearings below the segment have failed. However, the exact reason will be found after the detailed investigation by the Expert Technical Committee. At present, no work was being carried out at these Pier locations. Due to this the adjacent box girder P8-P9 also moved longitudinally from the centre of the pedestal by 300-350mm towards P10, there was no damage seen on the adjacent span on either sides.
Gradient between Piers P7-P8  0.45%, M55 grade of concrete used for Superstructure and Pedestal. The segment between P7-P8 was launched on 20th January-2018 and bearing fixed on 13th April-2018. The segment was of M55 Concrete grade and since January, 2018 till date, no indications were seen. All the tests at the time of erection have been done by the Authority Engineer. The bearing was manufactured by Metal Engineering & Treatment Co. Pvt. Ltd.  and the H.T.Strand used was of Usha Martin. Presently no work was in progress at the said location. Also, there was no injury / casualty to commuters or workers.S.Rai/D.Wankhede/D.Rane
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Ministry of Finance
Auction for Sale  of  ‘7.38% GS 2027’,  ‘7.26% GS 2033’,  ‘7.36% GS 2052’
The Government of India  has announced the sale  of  “7.38% Government Security 2027” for a notified amount of ₹7,000 crore  through price based auction using uniform price method,  “7.26% Government Security 2033” for a notified amount of ₹12,000 crore  through price based auction using uniform price method and  “7.36% Government Security 2052” for a notified amount of ₹9,000 crore  through price based auction using multiple price method. GoI will have the option to retain additional subscription up to Rs. 2,000 crore against each security mentioned above. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on February 17, 2023 .
Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the securities will be allotted to eligible individuals and institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities.
Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution  system on February 17, 2023. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. and the competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.
The result of the auctions will be announced on February 17, 2023  and payment by successful bidders will be on February 20, 2023 .
The Securities will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI/2018-19/25 dated July 24, 2018 as amended from time to time.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Government notifies Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India published the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 on 24th August, 2022 to ensure environmentally sound management of waste batteries.
Notification of these rules is a transformative step towards implementation of the announcement made by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in his address to the Nation on Independence Day on 15th August, 2021 to promote Circular Economy in full earnest.
New rules will replace Batteries  Rules, 2001.
The rules cover all types of batteries, viz. Electric Vehicle batteries, portable batteries, automotive batteries and industrial batteries.
The rules function based on the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility  where the producers  of batteries are responsible for collection and recycling/refurbishment of waste batteries and use of recovered materials from wastes into new batteries.
EPR mandates that all waste batteries to be collected and sent for recycling/refurbishment, and its prohibits disposal in landfills and incineration. To meet the EPR obligations, producers may engage themselves or authorise any other entity for collection, recycling or refurbishment of waste batteries.
The rules will enable setting up a mechanism and centralized online portal for exchange of EPR certificates between producers and recyclers/refurbishers to fulfil the obligations of producers.
The rules promote setting up of new industries and entrepreneurship in collection and recycling/refurbishment of waste batteries.
Mandating the minimum percentage of recovery of materials from waste batteries under the rules will bring new technologies and investment in recycling and refurbishment industry and create new business opportunities.
Prescribing the use of certain amount of recycled materials in making of new batteries will reduce the dependency on new raw materials and save natural resources.
Online registration & reporting, auditing, and committee for monitoring the implementation of rules and to take measures required for removal of difficulties are salient features of rules for ensuring effective implementation and compliance.
On the principle of Polluter Pays Principle, environmental compensation will be imposed for non-fulfilment of Extended Producer Responsibility targets, responsibilities and obligations set out in the rules. The funds collected under environmental compensation shall be utilised in collection and refurbishing or recycling of uncollected and non-recycled waste batteries.
Ministry of Finance
Finance Ministry Statement on Fifth Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement, 2018-19 Resolution of the Monetary Policy Committee, Reserve Bank of India
The Monetary Policy Committee  in its Fifth bi-monthly Statement, issued today, on the basis of its assessment of the current and evolving macroeconomic situation, decided to keep the Policy Repo Rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility  unchanged at 6.5 per cent. The MPC has, however, retained its stance of ‘calibrated tightening’.
The GDP growth projection for 2018-19 is retained at 7.4 per cent as in the Fourth Bi-monthly Resolution in October, 2018. The projections of inflation for 2018-19 and Q1:2019-20 have been substantially revised downwards from the October resolution.
The Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Shri Subhash Chandra Garg in a Statement said that the assessment of the MPC for growth and inflation outlook is consistent with the Government’s assessment of inflation and growth.
Shri Garg said that the Government welcomes the assessment of the MPC. The Government notes its decision to maintain the Policy Rate. The policy stance probably required calibration, he added.
The RBI has also decided to reduce SLR from existing 19.5% to 18.0% in six quarterly instalments beginning January 2019. Secretary, DEA,Shri Garg said that this will have some implications for the Government securities. However, the momentum created by the reduction in oil prices and reversal of foreign flows has resulted in further moderation of yields post policy announcement, he concluded.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
World Cycle Day: Bicycle rallies to be held at district-block centers on June 03, 2022; Rally will be organized in Thiruvananthapuram & Palakkad
As part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, led by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathnas will organize cycle rallies across the country on June 3, 2022, on World Cycle Day. Students, youth, and adults will take part in cycle rallies at the state-district-block levels and at 75 selected major centers across the country. The event aims to promote and popularize cycling to address the issues of global warming and unhealthy lifestyles.
The state-level inauguration of the World Cycle Day and the related cycle rally will be held on June 3, 2022 at 9.30 am at the Kerala University Campus, Thiruvananthapuram. State Sports Minister Shri V. Abdurahiman will inaugurate the event. Director of Sports, Youth Affairs Shri Prem Krishnan; State Director, Nehru Yuva Kendra Shri G. Kunhahammed; Regional Director, National Service Scheme Shri G. Sreedhar; Deputy Director, Nehru Youth Center Shri Ali Sabin and SAI Cycle Coach Shri Anoop S. Nair will address the event. The Minister will then flag off a cycle rally being attended by 75 young men and women.
Shri V. K. Sreekandan, MP will flag off the youth cycle rally from Martyr's Hall at Palakkad Fort to Akathetara Sabari Ashram at 8 am on June 03, 2022.
Nehru Yuva Kendra is also organizing a bicycle rally at Kavaratti in Lakshadweep. Lakshadweep Collector Shri Askar Ali will inaugurate the event. In addition, cycle rallies will be held in all the district headquarters in Kerala and in the Union Territory of Mahe under the auspices of the Nehru Yuva Kendra and in the block centers with the participation of youth clubs.
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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Rice procurement estimated at 518 lakh metric tones during kharif crop of Kharif Marketing Season 2022-23, for Central Pool
Secretary DFPD chairs a meeting of State Food Secretaries and FCI to discuss the procurement arrangements for Kharif Crop ensuing Kharif Marketing Season 2022-23
Shri Sudhanshu Pandey, Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution , Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution, chaired a meeting of State Food Secretaries and Food Corporation of India  to discuss the procurement arrangements for Kharif Crop ensuing Kharif Marketing Season  2022-23, here today.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary/Secretary  or Representatives of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. The meeting was also attended by Chairman & Managing Director, FCI & Other officers of FCI, Department of Food & Public Distribution, Indian Metrological Department and Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
A quantity of 518 LMT rice has been estimated for procurement during the forthcoming KMS 2022-23  as against 509.82 LMT actually procured during last KMS 2021-22.
During the meeting, issues relating to adoption of mechanized procurement operations, borrowing at lower interest rate, reduction in cost of procurement operations, adoption of innovative techniques & quality control mechanism, promotion of millets, gunny bags requirements, online settlement of food subsidy claims etc. were discussed and it was suggested that such innovations should be incentivized.
Shri Pandey stated that focus should be on procurement of millets, not only on account of International Year of Millet-2023 but also because of climate changes. Climate changes have been adversely affecting wheat and Rice and resulting in reduction in their production. A quantity of 13.70 LMT coarse grains ”super food” has been proposed for procurement by the States during the forthcoming KMS 2022-23 as against actual procurement of 6.30 LMT as on date.
Secretary, DFPD, highlighted the problem of shortage of packaging material. It was stated that arranging packaging material has become a challenging task as only 50% of the requirement of could be arranged through jute mills. To address the problem, DFPD is exploring possibilities of increasing the production/availability of new Jute bags by ways of testing new technology- Smart Jute Bags . As per report, trials have been found successful and these are at final stage.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Labour Ministry Issues Advisory to all States/UTs to use Cess fund for Welfare of Construction Workers
In the backdrop of outbreak of COVID-19,numerous measures are being taken by the Government to give relief to workers.To support unorganized construction workers who sustain their livelihood on daily wages, an advisory has been issued today by Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Union Minister of State, I/C, Labour and Employment to all Chief Ministers/ LGs of all the States/UTs. In the advisory,under Section 60 of the Building and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996 all State Governments/UTs have been advised to transfer funds in the account of construction workers through DBT mode from the Cess fund collected by the Labour Welfare Boards under the BOCW cess Act. About Rs 52000 crore is available as cess fund and about 3.5 crore construction workers are registered with these Construction welfare Boards .
Ministry of Defence
DRDO Workshop on Fire Safety Technologies and Services
Raksha Rajya Mantri Dr Subhash Bhamre inaugurated a Defence Research and Development Organisation  workshop on ‘Fire Safety Technologies and Services’, here today. Fire Adviser, Ministry of Home Affairs Shri DK Shamialso attended the function. Secretary Department of Defence R&D & Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddywas present on the occasion.
Dr Subhash Bhamrein his inaugural address congratulated DRDO for organizing the workshop and said that the best way to minimize the risk of fire is to understand potential threats and put in place preventive measures. He further said that technologies developed by CFEES can have application for civil sectors also, and needs to be exploited to the fullest.
The workshop was organized by Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety , a lab of DRDO with an aim to sensitize the State Fire Services and Users on the use of risk evaluation, mitigation and elimination of fire related accidents and adopt the technologies developed by DRDO. An exhibition of products and technologies developed by CFEES was also organized on the sidelines of the workshop.
Dr G Satheesh Reddy in his address said that the technologies and products developed by DRDO are finding application not only in defence sector but also have spin-offs for civilian sectors. He further said that we need to look for opportunities and gear up the capacity for indigenous fire safety products and services in India.
Shri DK Shami in his speech highlighted the need for formation of core group for short and long term roadmap for R&D and test facilities in the areas of fire safety, and low cost impact technology for fire safety to be developed by DRDO. He further said that products and technologies developed by DRDO can be introduced into the State Fire Services.
Dr Chitra Rajagopal, Director General  at DRDO headquarter welcomed the delegates and said that in order to enhance the fire fighting efficiency, the Fire Services has to be well equipped with state-of-art technologies and equipment. She further said DRDO can play an important role by sensitizing on latest fire safety technologies & products developed by CFEES for the Armed Forces.
The inaugural session of the workshop was followed by technical presentations, panel discussions and product demonstrations. A large number of delegates including Directors Generals, Directors of the State Fire Services and Fire Chiefs of many States and Union Territories attended the workshop.
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Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Women entrepreneurship is being promoted in a big way in Northeast: Dr Jitendra Singh
Women entrepreneurship is being promoted in a big way in Northeast and while the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region  came forward to provide Viability Fund to new Start-Ups, it has at the same time undertaken several initiatives to encourage and supplement the efforts of Women Self Help Groups.
This was stated by Union Minister of State  Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr.Jitendra Singh when a delegation of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry - Ladies Organisation , led by its national President JahnabiPhookan, called on him to discuss avenues for women in the North Eastern Region.
Dr.Jitendra Singh said, entrepreneurship and dignity of labour are an inherent trait of the women in the North Eastern region. This fact got recently reiterated during the early weeks of COVID pandemic, when there was a clamour for face masks from every part of the country. But, in the North Eastern Region, the face masks were available not only in sufficient quantity but also in a wide range of designs and colours, primarily because the responsibility of ensuring this had been immediately taken up by the women folk.
Appreciating the suggestion made by FICCI delegation for involvement of women stakeholders in the tourism sector, Dr.Jitendra Singh said, North Eastern region has taken a lead in institutionalizing home tourism in a big way and women had an important role in this. He said, in the last seven years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with improvement in connectivity and means of transport by road as well as air and rail, tourism has gained a special momentum.
Dr.Jitendra Singh called upon FICCI leaders to encourage more and more women to take up Bamboo related activities. He said, with Import Duty on bamboo products having been raised and home-grown bamboo having been exempted from Indian Forest Act, Bamboo from Northeast is destined to play a vital role in the post-COVID economy of India and women entrepreneurs as well as Self Help Groups have the opportunity to engage in production of wide variety of bamboo articles, particularly Agarbattis and baskets which are used in almost every Indian household.
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